Teaching an old seat new tricks...

[LEEVON]

After many years of riding around on a comfortable, but un-original '88-'94 bench seat it was time to drag the original seat out and breathe new life into it. I thought I would share my experience with seat restoration.

The original full-foam bottom bench seat was in fair shape, well worn but with no major holes or missing foam. I disassembled the seat, being careful to salvage all of the metal rods that are used inside the upholstery for fastening hog rings to. The biggest problem with this seat was that bolster springs on both sides were broken causing that "falling-out-of-the-door" feeling. After tracking down no less than three used seats with the idea to cannibalize their springs and discovering that none of them matched mine I had to get creative. I cut some lengths of spring material out of one of the used seats and then removed the factory crimped connectors. Forming the spring material into what I needed and re-using the connectors worked great, although a bit of a chore. I would recommend this route to anybody having trouble repairing springs and with access to a junk seat.

After the springs were repaired, I took the frame and tracks and had them soda blasted. I primed them and painted with a black quick-dry implement paint by Nason. I painted the upholstery rods with a rattle can just to make them clean to work with.

The original back and bottom foam were in fantastic shape, but I've heard that they loose some volume over time, so I wanted to add a little extra material. I used LMC's seat restoration kit which contains a carpet material for between the foam and springs, along with 1" foam, hog rings and pliers.

I cut-to-fit and then attached the carpet to the bottom springs, which provides some extra lift to the foam and keeps it from cutting into the springs. Then I placed the bottom foam and 1" foam onto the frame. I put all of the upholstery rods back into the seat cover and then started fitting it with hog rings. All I can say about this step is that it requires strong hands, patience, and some will power. You will sweat. The seat back is much easier though. After bolting the two parts together, I turned it over and stretched the extra material from the sides over the bottom and attached it. I then bolted the seat tracks back on along with the springs and rods.

All that was left was taking it for a test drive in the living room. My wife rode in the middle and my son wasn't invited because he was grounded.

What a difference! Don't be afraid to tackle this yourself it takes a good amount of time, but there is money to be saved and if you're like me if you want something done right...